Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of live toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and toxoplasma antigen on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic potency of live Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites as well as Toxoplasma antigen on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Cancer cell lines are considered an essential preliminary step towards in-vitro investigation of the potential antineoplastic impact of novel chemotherapeutic agents. Pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites are noticeably under investigation, considering their potential antineoplastic activity. Some have attained a steady position in the clinical field as hepatitis B virus, human papilloma virus and BCG immunization. Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with promising antineoplastic activity. In this study, live Toxoplasma tachyzoites provoked a direct cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 in a dose dependent manner, while Toxoplasma antigen didn’t induce such impact. Skipping the direct cytotoxic effect of Toxoplasma antigen doesn’t totally divert the possible antineoplastic activity of Toxoplasma antigen. Potential alternative immune mediated mechanisms could be an alternative. Further in-vivo studies in different cancer models are mandatory to investigate the underlying mechanisms of antineoplastic activity of Toxoplasma gondi

The use of HPV-DNA testing combined with Pap smear in detection of pre-invasive disease of the cervix

Background: Cancer cervix constitutes a major health problem worldwide. It is one of the most common female malignancy in both incidence and mortality. Cancer cervix has many risk factors, the most important one is persistent infection with one of HPV high risk types. Its morbidity and mortality can be reduced by frequent screening and early diagnosis. So that, several studies have been conducted in recent years in order to find better tests for screening for pre-invasive disease of the cervix and so early intervention and better prognosis. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of Pap test and HPV DNA test as screening tests for pre-invasive disease of the cervix.Methods: 100 females from those attending Alexandria University gynaecologic clinic for causes rather than cancer cervix were subjected to Pap smear and cervical swab for HPV-DNA testing at the same setting. Cases of HSIL or positive HPV were subjected to VIA test, colposcopy and cervical punch biopsy was taken if aceto-whitening of the cervix or any other abnormality was found. Cases with ASCUS or LSIL were re-smeared after 3-6 months, if persistent or progressive pathology, colposcopy and punch biopsy from acetowhite areas were taken.Results: 21 cases (21%) were HPV positive and 66 cases (66%) were positive for intraepithelial lesions (37% ASCUS, 18% LSIL and 11% HSIL) with re-smearing there were 3 persistent ASCUS cases (8.1%) and 5 LSIL cases (27.78%). Colposcopy done, and biopsies were taken from 10 HSIL cases (90.1%), 5 LSIL (27.8%), 3 ASCUS (8.1%) and 10 HPV positive cases (62.5%). With significant relationship between colposcopic findings and HPV-DNA positivity and abnormal cytology. Biopsies were 18; 14 were CIN I and 4 were CIN II.Conclusions: HPV-DNA positivity has positive association with HSIL. Pap smear is an easy cheap method for screening. HPV-DNA test is less sensitive than cytology as a method for screening

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Anti-Arthritic Activity of Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis Derived-Antigens in Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats: Role of FOXP3+ Treg Cells.

A growing body of evidence supports the concept of helminths therapy in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen (ASMA) and Trichinella spiralis antigen (ATSA) on the clinical and immunopathological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Adjuvant arthritis was induced by subcutaneous and intradermal injections of complete Freund's adjuvant into the plantar surface of the right hind paw and the root of the tail, respectively. Rats were randomly assigned to serve as normal control, untreated arthritis, ASMA or ATSA-treated arthritis groups. Antigens were given by intradermal injection in two doses, two weeks apart. The development, progression of arthritic features, and the impact on animals' gait and body weight were followed up for 4 weeks. The associated changes in serum cytokines (IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-10), joints' histopathology and immunohistochemistry of Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) were evaluated at the end of the study. Treatment with either ASMA or ATSA attenuated the progression of clinical features of polyarthritis, improved gait and body weight gain, reduced the elevated serum IL-17 and further increased both IFN-γ and IL-10. Histopathologically, this was associated with a remarkable regression of paws' inflammation that was limited only to the subcutaneous tissue, and a significant increase in the number of Foxp 3+ cells versus the untreated arthritis group. In conclusion, both Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis derived antigens exerted protective effect against adjuvant arthritis with better effect achieved by ASMA treatment. This anti-arthritic activity is attributed to upregulation of the Foxp3+ Tregs, with subsequent favorable modulation of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The use of autoclaved parasitic antigens excludes the deleterious effects of imposing helminthic infection by using live parasites, which may pave the way to a new therapeutic modality in treating RA

Representative photograph showing clinical signs of inflammation in rats’ joints examined on day 22 after CFA injection.

<p><b><i>(a</i>, <i>b)</i></b>, normal control rats, <b><i>(c-f)</i></b> untreated arthritic rats showing severe swelling and redness in both hind paws involving the metatarsal joints and extending to the ankle joint in <b><i>(c)</i></b> and <b><i>(d)</i></b>. Note the severe erosion and amputated toes in <b><i>(e)</i>,</b> while less severe swelling was observed in the forepaws in <b><i>(f)</i>.</b> Rats from the ASMA <b><i>(g)</i></b> and ATSA <b><i>(h)-</i></b>treated arthritis groups showing less intense inflammatory signs in the right hind paw and almost ameliorated inflammation in the other paws<b>.</b> CFA, complete Freund’s adjuvant; ASMA, autoclaved <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> antigen and ATSA, autoclaved <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> antigen.</p

Anti-Arthritic Activity of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> Derived-Antigens in Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats: Role of FOXP3⁺ Treg Cells - Fig 7

<p><b><i>(a)</i>,</b> scatter plot of semi-quantitative inflammatory score of H&E stained tissue sections of rats’ right hind paws. <b><i>(b)</i></b>, number of Foxp3⁺ Treg cells in immunohistochemically stained tissue sections of rats’ right hind paws. Data are expressed as medians in <b><i>(a)</i></b> and as means ± S.E.M in <b><i>(b)</i></b>. *<i>p</i>< 0.05 versus normal control group, <b>§</b><i>p</i>< 0.05 versus untreated arthritis group and <b>+</b><i>p</i><0.05 versus ASMA-treated arthritis group. ASMA, autoclaved <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> antigen and ATSA, autoclaved <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> antigen.</p

Representative photomicrographs of H&E stained sections of rats’ right hind paws.

<p><i>(</i><b><i>a)</i></b>, joint tissue section of normal control rat showing normal articular structure without any inflammatory activity. <i>(</i><b><i>b-f)</i></b>, joint tissue sections of untreated arthritis group showing severe arthritis with intense inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue <i>(</i><b><i>b)</i></b> with a high power view showing inflammatory cells mainly neutrophils (N) and lymphocytes (L) (x400) in <b><i>(c)</i>.</b> The inflammation extends in between the muscle tissue in <b><i>(d)</i></b> and <b><i>(e)</i></b> (x200 and 400, respectively). Severe inflammatory reaction (↑) in the joint space with bone destruction is demonstrated in <b><i>(f)</i></b> (x 200).</p

Effect of treatment with ASMA or ATSA on CFA-induced changes in inflammatory cytokines as <i>(a)</i>, IL-17, <i>(b)</i>, INF-γ and <i>(c)</i>, IL-10.

<p>Data are expressed as means ± S.E.M. *<i>p</i> < 0.05 versus normal control group, <b>§</b><i>p</i>< 0.05 versus untreated arthritis group and +<i>p</i> <0.05 versus ASMA-treated arthritis group. CFA, complete Freund’s adjuvant; ASMA, autoclaved <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> antigen and ATSA, autoclaved <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> antigen.</p